Where's the Belgian pride? - Many years ago, travelling in Belgium, I heard a story in a very pub regarding Camel cigarettes. This happy-go-lucky life-of-the-party soul pulled a packet from his pocket and proudly said that the designer of this packet was a Belgian which he had left proof. I’m not a smoker however had a careful investigate the packet and couldn’t see something.

He asked me if I’d seen Manneken Pis close to the most sq. in Brussels. Like all tourists, I had wandered pass and brought the obligatory snapshot. I didn’t have the center to say that i used to be a bit underwhelmed because it was smaller than i assumed it might be and looked a bit worse for wear. Mind you, guests thronged around it and flashlights shot sort of a movie star was walking down the red carpet.

There seem to be variety of stories surrounding the origin of the statue. the foremost common holds that this tiny boy extinguished the fuses of explosives setup by an attacking army using the foremost natural of means that, thereby saving Brussels.

Anyway, there's a claim that the artistic artist behind the imagery on the packet of Camel cigarettes was a Belgian. He strongly disliked the pinnacle of promoting and to spite him, he hid a picture of the famous Belgian image within the higher front leg of the camel to forever highlight Belgium during this cigarette's most enduring image. the parents at Camel haven't confirmed this and think about it as nothing over people’s imagination.

I couldn’t see the image until it was pointed out to me. Having stated that, there does appear to be a strong likeness - the right arm on the boys' hip and the left arm directing the flow.

What do you think? Can you see a likeness? Is it beyond a coincidence?

Last month, Lifecruiser initiated an international cocktail party run at the start of each month where writers highlight a notable drink from their travels or experiences.

For Travel Wonders last month was Pisco Sour from Peru and Chile, while this month's comes from the hallowed walls of a Belgian monastery.

Chimay beer, served in a specially designed and appropriate chalice glass (top photo is Chimay Red) is one of the world's few Trappist beers. Brewed by Trappist monks (who conduct their lives in near silence) within their abbey walls, with all money raised going back to the monastery or selected charities, their creamy beers are all strong on alcohol and very refreshing. My favourite of their three offerings is Chimay Blue, a dark, bitter beer (with a potent 9% alcohol). Unlike most beers, claims are that it improves with age in its bottle.

Also produced within the monastery as a perfect accompaniment is Chimay cheese, one variety of which is soaked in beer as part of its production.

So here is santé to all those international drinkers at our mid-year cocktail party.